Media•on November 22nd, 2010•Comments Off on Holiday Food Distribution

696, 710 Pounds Given Out For Holidays Our Holiday Food Distribution has come to a close, and we wanted to take the time to thank everyone who donated food and money, as well as those who volunteered their time, to make sure our hungry neighbors have a meal on the table this holiday. Because of you, on the third day of Holiday Distribution, we gave out 130, 343 pounds of food. That will feed more than 7,100 individuals and nearly 2,500 families.

Overall during the 2010 holidays, we distributed 696,710 pounds of food. That’s enough to feed more than 53,000 individuals and nearly 19,000 families.

We caught up with a dozen customers over the three-day Holiday Food Distribution to find out what’s happening in their lives and why the Freestore Foodbank is so important to them. Check out some of their stories.

It brings us great hope knowing that thousands of our neighbors in need will be enjoying a meal this holiday.

Learn more about supporting our mission and helping to make a difference.

From all of us at the Freestore Foodbank: Happy Holidays!!

Holiday Distribution Day 3

Meet Holly. Holly is out of work and is caring for her three children. She came to the Freestore Foodbank on the third day of Holiday Distribution for food and toys.

“I rely on the Freestore Foodbank, because I know they’re always here for me. It makes me feel happy, appreciated. I don’t feel like I’m left alone.” – Holly

Meet Joseph. Joseph is unemployed and trying to get by on a Social Security check. We met him on our third day of our Holiday Food Distribution.

“The Freestore Foodbank means everything to me.” -Joseph

Meet Eva. Eva is employed, but is having trouble keeping up with the bills. She turns to the Freestore Foodbank whenever she needs a little extra help.

“A lot of people don’t have a lot of things. As long as there’s someone there to help you, it keeps you going. Just a little bit helps. It helps a lot of people. “ – Eva

Meet Mike. Mike says he’s facing some hard times right now, and is out of work. He comes to the Freestore Foodbank for food assistance.

“It means the difference between being hungry and having food on the table.” – Mike

Meet Jackie. Jackie works 10-hour days, 6 days a week. She has custody of eight, great nieces and nephews, and needs a little extra help putting food on the table to care for them.

“It’s a great help. It means a lot to me. It helps to stretch out the rest of the food. The Freestore Foodbank means everything to me. It’s part of my survival.“ -Jackie

Meet Robert. Robert is unemployed and struggling with health issues. Robert is trying to care for his wife, stepson and a young man they’ve taken into their home, because that young man’s mom is struggling with some issues. Robert came to us for some holiday food assistance.

“It means somebody cares. It’s a blessing. To me, anytime you do good for somebody else, you’re going to be rewarded in some shape, form or fashion.” – Robert

Meet Garry. Garry is disabled and out of work. He was recently living on the streets, but has since found housing. He came to us on the second day of Holiday Distribution.

“It means a lot to me, even when I was out on the streets. Being able to come here and get some clothing and other stuff.” –Garry

Meet Vela. Vela is out of work, disabled and raising her grandchildren. She turns to the Freestore Foodbank whenever she needs a little extra help.

“It means a lot when you don’t have anywhere else to go or anyone to turn to. So, it is helpful. I only come when I need to, because there are others who are less fortunate than me.” -Vela

Holiday Distribution Day 1

Meet Linda. Linda was married for 26 years and was a stay-at-home mom. When she got divorced, she ended up living at a homeless shelter for two months. Linda started coming to the Freestore Foodbank about a year ago. She now has her own apartment, and is trying to get back on her feet.“It’s very reassuring in knowing that if I do have hard times again, that this place is here to help me, and I don’t have to feel bad about it, coming and needing help. It’s very reassuring.” -Linda

Meet Mary. Mary has a 10-year-old son and is facing some hardships right now. Mary is relying on the Freestore Foodbank so she can celebrate the holiday with her child.

“I’m thankful that you have this here. Without this program, I don’t think any of us could get through it.” -Mary

Meet John. John has been on unemployment. His wife recently got a job, and he just found temporary employment, but they need a little help to get by this holiday.

“It means everything to get any kind of help you can get. We’ve been struggling.” -John

Meet Sherry. Sherry came to the Freestore Foodbank on the first day of Holiday Distribution. Right now, she’s in need of food assistance.

“It’s nice to have someone giving you a helping hand. “ -Sherry

Thanksgiving Food DistributionOur Thanksgiving Food Distribution has come to a close, and we wanted to take the time to thank everyone who donated food and money, as well as those who volunteered their time, to make sure our hungry neighbors have a meal on the table this Thanksgiving. Because of you, we gave out nearly 400,000 pounds of food during the three-day, Thanksgiving Food Distribution. That will feed 12,204 families and 34,980 individuals.

It brings us great hope knowing that thousands of our neighbors in need will be enjoying a Thanksgiving meal over the holiday.

From all of us at the Freestore Foodbank: Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving Food Distribution Day 3

This is Congresswoman Jean Schmidt. She serves Ohio’s 2nd District. Jean volunteers at the Freestore Foodbank every holiday. She worked in our Food Room on the third day of our Thanksgiving Food Distribution this year.

“I want to give back to the community. I think that it’s important when you are a public servant that you really understand the true needs of the community. To see these wonderful people come in here year after year that are on hard times and need a helping hand, we are blessed as a community to be able to provide this kind of food for them.” –Congresswoman Jean Schmidt

This is Nancy. Nancy found out about opportunities to volunteer with us through our E Newsletter. She joined us on the third day of our Thanksgiving Food Distribution.

“I’m very blessed in my own life, and it’s a good thing to come and do something like this to give back to other people who aren’t as fortunate. This is my first experience down here, and I’m really impressed with the setup and coordination of activities, and I’ll be back (to volunteer again). ” –Nancy

Thanksgiving Food Distribution Day 2

This is Debra. Debra is on disability, and doesn’t have much income. She is currently caring for her 10-year-old grandson. She came to our Customer Connection Center in Over-the-Rhine on the second day of Thanksgiving Food Distribution.

“If it wasn’t for coming down here today, we wouldn’t have a Thanksgiving. It’s wonderful to know that we can sit down together as a family and eat, enjoy the day and the meaning of Thanksgiving, and know that there are people out there to help us.” –Debra

This is Bruce. Bruce is unemployed and is struggling to find work. He came to the second day of our Thanksgiving Food Distribution to get a holiday meal for him and his family. He’s planning to spend Thanksgiving with his children.

“Where else can I go when I need help? This is the best place to come.” -Bruce

This is Shevon. We met Shevon while she was waiting in line with her husband during the second day of our Thanksgiving Food Distribution. Shevon is disabled. She plans to spend Thanksgiving with her two children and 10 grandchildren.

“It means a lot to know you’re able to have a meal every day, especially sometimes when you’re sick. It helps out. “ –Shevon

Thanksgiving Food Distribution Day 1

This is Brian. Brian is disabled and is having a hard time keeping up with his rent and putting food on the table this month. He’s one of many who have showed up for our Thanksgiving Food Distribution.

“You can really rely on the generosity of people in Cincinnati to give a little helping hand when you fall a little short. Everybody needs help now and then. I think most people in this country are one paycheck away, and I think if you can give, if there’s an opportunity, you should take it. “ -Brian

This is James. He’s four-years-old and one of the thousands of children that the Freestore Foodbank is feeding this Thanksgiving.

This is Betty. We met Betty while she was waiting in line during the Thanksgiving Food Distribution. Betty used to donate food and money to the Freestore Foodbank to help those in need. Betty, herself, is now facing hard times after getting divorced and turns to the Freestore Foodbank to help her during this difficult time.

“If it wasn’t for the Freestore I don’t know what I’d do, I really don’t.” -Betty

This is Mark. Mark is unemployed and has a wife and children to care for at home. Mark’s wife is currently in school, and they need a little food to help them get by this holiday.